Death at the Pageant Read online

  “Well, that was uncalled for-”

  "Cool it, you two! Stay focused. I don’t want any bad press right now.” Melody glared at them both.

  “I can see the headlines now: Bakers Overheat at Press Reception – News at 11,” Leslie chimed in one last time before she picked up a full tray and walked away.

  As the guests entered, Penelope greeted them and invited them to try the refreshments. Once everyone was inside, the doormen moved to the set of doors that led to the main hall. There, they waited for Penelope's second cue.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, if I may have your attention. I'd like to thank you all for attending our very special event. This is an excellent opportunity for all of you to engage the girls and get to know them on an up-close and personal level."

  "Up close and personal is right. You see that toothy guy over there in the black tuxedo?" Melody kept her voice low as she pointed to a man standing to Penelope's right.

  Kerry's eyes followed her finger. "I saw that guy making out with one of the contestants earlier. I hope he's not a judge."

  Kerry frowned disapprovingly.

  "Thank you to the town of Port Warren for its continued support and to the press for providing favorable coverage,” Penelope continued with her speech. “I'd also like to thank Decadently Delicious for their lovely refreshments. Please be sure to try the Lemon Chiffon. It's my personal favorite. Lastly, I'd like to thank our sponsors, including this handsome gentleman to my right, Mr. Ronald Atkins of Atkins Jewelry. He not only made a generous donation, but he also loaned the girls their accessories, and I’m sure you will all agree, they are spectacular pieces!"

  "Thank you! It's the contestants that are spectacular. Jewels just enhance their natural beauty," Ronald said.

  "Nope, that's not creepy at all." Melody frowned to Kerry.

  "I bet he's all about the ladies."

  "Without further ado, let's bring on the lovely contestants!" Penelope cued the doormen, who dutifully opened the double doors revealing a line of beautiful women dressed in gorgeous dresses. Their necks and ears glittered with various gems complimenting their gown choices. As the women entered the room, Penelope announced their names.

  "Monica Paul, Lorraine Brickford, Alexis Garnett, Ramona Newman, Colleen Thorne-"

  "There ... that one. That's the one Ronald was kissing backstage." Melody nudged Kerry with her elbow as Colleen Thorne appeared. She was a tall, leggy blonde wearing a shimmering column dress that clung to her figure. Melody noticed that as she entered, her blue eyes were locked on Ronald.

  "She can't be older than 22," Kerry said, then asked, "How old do you think he is?"

  "Not sure, but he's definitely old enough to be her father."

  "He may be old enough to be her grandfather – and look at the women. They look like Stepford wives chaperoning a prom circa 1997 with their empty expressions and fake smiles."

  "You sound so bitter. Did you lose your title of Homecoming Queen back in the day?" Leslie asked sarcastically as she reappeared to swap trays.

  Penelope introduced the remaining contestants then released them to mingle.

  "Shush. Incoming. Look natural," Melody warned them as she smiled to Colleen, who approached the table.

  Leslie rolled her eyes and headed back into the crowd with a fresh tray of sweets.

  "Well, look at all these goodies!" Colleen licked her lips as she studied the table.

  "We have a lot of flavors today. Do you prefer something light and fruity or dark and decadent?" I'd say decadent knowing who you were kissing backstage, Melody thought.

  "Oh, I just couldn't take a bite. As you can see, this dress is tight enough already." Colleen's eyes inspected Melody’s and Kerry’s figures, and by her expression, Melody sensed she was unimpressed. "But, thank you for bringing such sweetness to the event!"

  Thank you for your approval.

  Without looking, Melody had sensed Kerry was steaming from her ears.

  Despite her refusal to try one of the little rectangular bites, Colleen chose one of the chocolate mocha flavored cakes. She carried it off without touching it and brought it directly to Ronald.

  From a distance, Melody watched as he smiled wolfishly. She wasn't sure if the hungry smile was for the sweet offering or for Colleen.

  Colleen giggled as Ronald took the treat with one hand and placed his other hand on the small of her back. He pulled her close and whispered something in her ear. His words, or perhaps the feeling of his breath on the girl's neck, made her blush and giggle again. Melody cringed at the sight of the couple, but so did another woman as she, too, watched them from afar.

  From the corner of her eye, Melody watched as the contestant named Alexis Garnett stormed up to Colleen and Ronald. It happened so fast! Like watching a movie in slow motion, Melody witnessed Alexis throw her cranberry cocktail in his face! Colleen recoiled as some of the drink rebounded off Ronald and splashed her form-fitting dress.

  "How could you?" Alexis was furious. Her dark eyes were as wild as her brunette hair. Compared to the other pristine competitors, her sash was wrinkled and sloppily splattered with red stains, no doubt from her cocktail.

  "Stop it now!" Penelope pushed her way through the crowd with the two doormen in tow. "Please escort Ms. Garnett to her dressing room so she can sleep off her bad behavior. Ronald, I'm so sorry. Here, let's get you cleaned up!" Penelope shoved an open hand at Kerry, palm up, waiting for her to hand over some napkins.

  "No need to fuss, everyone! I'm fine." Ronald pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped his face as he laughed. "Please, go back to enjoying yourself. I'll just get cleaned up. It's nothing to worry about – it’s not the first time I’ve had a drink thrown in my face, and I’m sure it won’t be the last." Everyone within earshot laughed at his joke, but Melody knew there was truth in the jest.

  Penelope ensured the doormen escorted Alexis out of the reception area then attempted to re-direct the guests’ attention back toward the other well-behaved contestants.

  Irritated, Colleen stood very still as she surveyed the damage done to her dress. Ronald, however, saw her frustrated expression and whispered something in her ear. Colleen let out a loud laugh that drew stares.

  "He's probably offering to buy her a new one," Kerry said in a whisper to Melody.

  "Or offering to help her out of it."

  Chapter Five

  Melody kept her eyes on Colleen and Ronald a bit longer until Ramona caught her attention. Her brow furrowed at the sight of the girl. There, in the corner, Ramona sat sadly watching Colleen and Ronald. Again, she was near to tears.

  "I'm going to check on Ramona. You two keep serving."

  As Melody made her way through the crowd, she noticed Colleen duck out of the party. She presumed she was going to change.

  "Would you like to step outside for a breath of fresh air?" Melody asked Ramona.

  "You saw Colleen and Ronald? Well, that was me up until a few days ago. I thought we had something special." Ramona's eyes were like lasers burning into Ronald as he laughed with other partygoers.

  To Melody, he appeared wholly unaffected by Alexis throwing a drink in his face. "But now, I'm another one of his used dolls while he plays with a new, prettier one," Ramona said.

  "You’re beautiful, and he's just a dirty old man. He's like... a collector. You don't need a man like that in your life."

  "He made promises. He said I could trust him. I think I'm going to be sick." Ramona's shoulders shook forcefully as she sobbed.

  "You again! Step away from my daughter!"

  Both Melody and Ramona looked up suddenly. It was Denise, Ramona's controlling mother.

  "Now, Mrs. Newman-"

  "I don’t want to hear one word from you. You upset my daughter twice today, and I will not permit it a third time. Leave now, or I will have you escorted out at once!"

  "I did not upset Ramona! That man did." Melody pointed at Ronald, but Ramona pushed her hand down as quickly as it went up.

&nb
sp; "Everyone, please stop! I need to be alone!" She gathered up her puffy skirt, clumsily, and stormed off. Denise glared at Melody then rushed after Ramona.

  Frustrated, Melody turned back toward the dessert station but slammed unexpectedly into a man. He had appeared out of nowhere - it was the man of the hour, Ronald Atkins.

  "You know," he said with a hungry grin on his lips, "You are just magnificent. I'm about due for a redhead. I'm curious - are you as sweet as your treats?" His eyes roamed over Melody's figure salaciously.

  Does this creep have any more lines he’d like to throw at me? Melody thought.

  She stepped back, repulsed by the man standing in her personal space. Her hands went up to block him from closing the distance she’d just created.

  "Excuse me, but I do not date men old enough to be my father."

  "You should give it a try. Consider me an equal opportunity lover, that's well-versed." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, and she visibly cringed.

  Melody's stomach churned. Before she could refuse any more of his advances, Ronald was reaching for something in his pocket.

  "How about you put your number in my phone and I'll come by your bakery some time to sample your goodies?" As he patted his pocket, however, his eyebrows knitted with confusion. "That's odd." His hands patted his other pockets, all coming up empty. "My phone’s missing ... have you seen it? It’s in a gold case engraved with my initials on the back."

  Don't you mean your little mobile black book?

  Unfazed by his loss, Melody ignored his question and pushed past him. She returned to the station, where Kerry was refilling the empty plates.

  "I am so over this event. Ronald just hit on me. That creep wanted to put my number in his phone. As if ... "

  "He's disgusting. He's so self-entitled." Kerry shook her head and cringed.

  "I'm going to take Smudge out for a breath of fresh air. We both could use it. Tell Leslie to avoid serving him. I wouldn't put it past him to be inappropriate with her, too."

  "Bring me back a coffee, please. Extra-strong. I'm going to need it to get through another hour of this."

  Melody nodded as she scooped up Smudge and her leash. She navigated the crowd carefully until they were both safely outside. Night had fallen since the start of the party.

  "The night air feels good, girl. Breathe it in." Melody set Smudge down and clipped her leash to her collar, then stood and stretched. She inhaled deeply, hoping the stress of the day would evaporate. Between baking, delivering, setting up, and now serving, they had all been working for hours straight.

  Smudge also shook her body out from nose to tail. Melody could tell the little pup needed a good stretch outside, away from the stuffy human-infested party. She lifted her little wet nose in the air and sniffed.

  Smudge barked for Melody's attention.

  "What is it?" Smudge turned to the left and barked again. She stared into a shadowy corner near the building.

  At first, Melody hadn't noticed anything out of the ordinary, but since Smudge's ears were alert and forward, Melody squinted and listened closely. She had learned that if Smudge noticed something, she should pay close attention.

  That's when Melody noticed a soft light emitting from the shadows and heard the faint texting sound of a cell phone followed by a familiar whoosh. The sound pattern repeated. Before she could identify the person, the dark shadowy figure walked away from the community center.

  Chapter Six

  "Coffee!" Kerry took the large foam cup from Melody's outstretched hand. "You returned in the nick of time. I was starting to slow to normal speed."

  "Looks like things are winding down. Did I miss anything?"

  "Not really. We ran out of Lemon Chiffon thanks to Penelope's plug," Leslie said as she wiped a silver tray clean. She packed it away and moved onto another.

  "How was the walk?" Kerry took a long sip from the cup and sighed with relief.

  Smudge wagged her bottom at Kerry as if giving her a positive review of the walk, then lowered her belly to the mat under the station.

  "It was much needed for both of us."

  As the girls continued breaking down the station, Melody texted Alvin Hennessey, her fiancé, and the sheriff of Port Warren. Her thumbs tapped quickly against the phone.

  How about a late supper with your two favorite ladies?

  A similar whooshing sound to the one she had just heard outside confirmed her message was sent. Quicker than expected, she received one back. Melody beamed as she stared at his answer. Instead of texting his reply, Alvin sent her a photo of the late-night feast he had already prepared for when she got off work.

  He really is the perfect man, Melody thought. She loved his thoughtfulness and texted back a series of emojis, including a heart, a smiley face with its tongue out, and a dog face with hearts for eyes. As she gazed at the photo fantasizing over how the food would smell and taste, Penelope touched her shoulder.

  "I just wanted to thank you and your team for putting on a great show. Everyone raved about the desserts. Well done."

  "It was our pleasure. I'd offer you some Lemon Chiffon for the road, but Leslie said they're all gone - I hope the pageant goes well."

  "I'm sure it will be fine as long as Alexis sobers up."

  "She seemed pretty upset with Ronald."

  Penelope waved the topic away dismissively, and for a moment, Melody wondered if she, too, was involved with the man. She thought twice about asking. Alvin and a hot meal were waiting.

  "We better get going. We have an early day at the shop tomorrow."

  "Before you go... I've set aside some tickets to the show for you and your team. I would be honored if you would attend. Please feel free to bring your significant others." Penelope announced the offer loud enough to include Kerry and Leslie in the conversation.

  "I'd love to, but I'm leaving for a camping trip with a friend," Leslie said as she walked past them, carrying a stack of silver trays outside to the delivery van.

  Melody glanced at Kerry, who politely shook her head no. She took another sip of coffee. Melody suspected she took the sip to avoid having to verbally respond, leaving it up to Melody to formally decline Penelope's offer.

  "This is a really busy time for the bakery, but we appreciate your generosity." She touched Penelope's arm gently then moved toward the station to help Kerry finish clearing it.

  "Well, I'll leave them at the ticket booth should you change your mind. Goodnight, and thanks again." Leaving them to finish up, Penelope headed to her office.

  Leslie returned for another stack of trays. Kerry grabbed a crate of the china plates, and Melody took Smudge's leash and mat. The three women inspected the area once more, ensuring they’d left nothing behind.

  "I think that's it. Let's go-"

  Suddenly, a scream rang through the air! Melody dropped the mat and rushed toward the sound. Smudge ran alongside her. As she turned into the office, she found Penelope trembling; her white-gloved hands covered her open mouth. Her eyes were the size of saucers!

  "What is it? What's wrong?" Melody asked as she looked between Penelope and someone sitting in the office chair, which was turned so that the back faced Melody. She could only see the top of the person's head.

  The scene struck Melody as odd. The person hadn't reacted to Penelope, who looked at Melody with pure terror in her eyes. Cautiously, Melody moved closer to get a better look. She turned the chair slightly then gasped at what she saw!

  "Is that-?"

  "Ronald Atkins." Penelope gulped as she found her voice.

  "And is that-?"

  "-A sash around his neck? Yes!" Penelope confirmed then raced from the room.

  Chapter Seven

  Smudge led the way as Melody returned to the reception hall from the direction of the scream. Her arm was wrapped around Penelope's waist, holding her up. Penelope appeared as if she was about to drop from the shock of finding Ronald dead in her office chair.

  "What happened?" Kerry asked as she set down the cr
ate she was holding and ran to help support Penelope. Leslie dragged a chair over to them.

  "Try to calm her down. I need to contact Alvin. Ronald Atkins was murdered."

  Both women gasped upon hearing the news!

  "I'll get her some water," Leslie said as Kerry consoled Penelope.

  Stepping aside, Melody looked down at her phone. The photo of the late-night feast that was waiting for her was still open on her screen. Her stomach rumbled as she frowned. Melody’s thumbs tapped across her phone’s screen.

  What are the chances you can make that dinner to go? I need you here at the community center. Ronald Atkins is dead.

  Whoosh went the text.

  Twenty minutes later, Alvin arrived with a team of deputies. Melody greeted him outside.

  "Never a dull moment, huh?" He leaned in to give her a quick kiss.

  "Nope, but it's not a total shock that this guy ended up dead. He was playing the field a little too hard, and he's well past the age of retirement if you get my drift." Melody received his kiss and matched it with a second peck before leading him inside. "The body is in the office."

  Word had spread through the remaining party guests. They lingered like looky-loos. The deputies sealed the building while Melody guided Alvin to where she left Penelope.

  "This is Penelope Cross. She is the pageant event coordinator and host of this evening's reception. Penelope, this is Sheriff Hennessey. He has some questions for you." Melody introduced them then took a step back, giving Alvin the floor. Smudge sat in Penelope’s lap while Penelope stroked her fur in a calming manner.

  "I understand you're the one that discovered the body?" he asked.

  "Yes, yes. The event was winding down. I spoke with Melody for a bit then retired to the office to wrap up some last-minute details. At first, I didn't realize Ronald was dead. I saw him sitting in the chair, but his back was to me. I was talking to him, but he didn't answer. I was getting frustrated, so I walked around demanding he answer and that's when I saw he was ... " She couldn't bring herself to say the word.